The re-recorded version of “West End girls” by Pet Shop Boys first entered the UK Official Singles Chart on November 16, 1985, at number 80. It entered the Top 40 the following week, and eventually reached number one on January 11, 1986. The single was originally released in 1984 but only became a club hit in the US before being re-recorded and re-released in late 1985, becoming a major global success. It is being celebrated by BBC Radio 2 as part of “Pet Shop Boys, Forty” from 8pm GMT this evening. The DJ presenting the show, Gary Davies, gave the hit version of “West End girls” its first play on the BBC back in 1985.
Pet Shop Boys Volume, the complete visual record of PSB from 1984 to 2024, is published by Thames & Hudson today.
Recent Pet Texts
We had a fantastic night at the Electric Ballroom yesterday with a special guest appearance from Johnny Marr on guitar! Thanks to Johnny for playing with us and to all the wonderful Petheads. xx
Photo: Eva Pentel
Pet Shop Boys Volume is now available at Resident Music in Brighton, at John Sandoe in London and at Waterstones Deansgate, Manchester.
We had a wonderful first “Obscure” concert in Camden last night with a “no hits” set list which everyone seemed to be able to sing along with anyway. Thanks to our fabulous special guest, Sylvia Mason-James, and to the legendary Princess Julia for her DJ set. And thanks to the fantastic audience of Petheads! See you again tonight. xx
Photo: Eva Pentel
Pet Shop Boys’ complete Dreamworld performance at the Viña del Mar Song Festival in Chile can now be viewed on You Tube. Link below.
We are now a week away from the opening show of Obscure Pet Shop Boys at Camden’s Electric Ballroom. Doors will open at 6pm for ticketed fans who will have access to our exclusive Pet Shop Boys Lounge where you can relax and browse the new “Pet Shop Boys since 1984” and “Obscure” merchandise ranges. Copies of “Volume” and Neil’s “100 Lyrics and a Poem” book, a limited number of them signed, will also be available to buy. Clubbing legend Princess Julia will DJ from 7.15pm — 8.15pm before PSB take to the stage at 8.30pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
To coincide with the new “Volume” book, long term PSB designer Mark Farrow talks to Wallpaper magazine. Link below.
Faber & Faber today publish the paperback edition of Neil Tennant’s book, One Hundred Lyrics and a Poem, with a new introduction by Jon Savage. It is now available in book shops and online stores.